The Blythmoor

The "Blythmoor", a 6582 GT cargo vessel launched in 1922 by the Wm. Doxford / Pallion Shipyard at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was initially under control of the Moor Line Ltd. She was eventually turned over to and managed by the W. Runciman & Co. shipping firm.

In late March of 1940, "Blythmoor" departed the UK for Norway. On April 10 she and 13 other merchantmen from Europe were trapped in the port of Narvik when the German destroyer, "Roeder" approached and opened fire. The British escort vessels, "Hotspur" and "Hostile" returned fire while the merchantmen tried to flee the fjiord, running for their lives! "Blythmoor" was not so lucky being hit by an errant British torpedo. She went to the bottom along with six of her crew.

"Blythmoor" is depicted here years earlier and during less turbulent times upon a marine railway in the US. The "Chief" has ordered steam up in the boilers while a tug waits patiently for her launching back into active service.